Compliance Updates
VIXIO GamblingCompliance announces 2020 Global Regulatory Awards shortlist
VIXIO GamblingCompliance announces 2020 Global Regulatory Awards shortlist
Today, VIXIO GamblingCompliance unveiled the shortlist for their Global Regulatory Awards (GRA). Now in their fourth year, the VIXIO GRAs recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals, teams and businesses who have excelled in the field of compliance, corporate social responsibility and responsible gambling over the course of the year.
This year’s shortlist showcases a host of progressive businesses, all who have demonstrated their ability to adapt to an increasingly complex regulatory environment, to innovate, and embrace safer gambling.
Mike Woolfrey, CEO, VIXIO, said “This year has been one of the most competitive years yet, with the judges having to consider hundreds of entries to shortlist finalists across 18 categories. Every year the standard gets higher as the industry moves to an ever-greater culture of compliance. Our judging process is extremely rigorous and the awards are hotly contested, so being shortlisted is a highly significant achievement. Whilst this year we are disappointed we won’t be able to host our black-tie gala dinner, we are looking forward to announcing the winners at our virtual event, which everyone can join to celebrate the industry’s achievements”.
Robert Chvatal, CEO, SAZKA Group, said: “Congratulations to all those shortlisted. The operational excellence, innovation and commitment to drive up standards demonstrated by those shortlisted is a really positive sign for the future of the industry. We are delighted to be partnering with VIXIO GamblingCompliance on these hugely important awards and we look forward to seeing who emerges as winners on 29 October”
Due to on-going safety concerns around COVID-19, this year’s presentation of the 2020 VIXIO Global Regulatory Award winners will take place via an online live stream, broadcast globally on 29, October at 16:00 GMT. To find out more, including how to register, go to: gamblingcomplianceawards.com
Award for Commitment to Compliance by An Affiliate Company
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AskGamblers
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Better Collective
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Bojoko
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Gambling.com Group
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iBet Directory
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Little Star Media
Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to Responsible Gambling
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Amina Norgosanow, Videslots
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David Caruana, Kindred Group
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Jon Duffy, Genting Casino UK
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Stefania Colombo, IGT
Best Regulatory Lawyer or Law Firm of the Year
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CMS
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Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
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Greenberg Traurig, LLP
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Herzog Fox & Neeman
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Mishcon de Reya Betting & Gaming Group
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Pinsent Masons LLP
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Tommaso di Chio, Kambi
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WH Partners
Best Regulatory Lawyer or Law Firm of the Year
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Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
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Greenberg Traurig, LLP
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Paul Hasting LLP
Chief Compliance Officer of the Year
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Jon Duffy, Genting Casinos UK
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Ori Monheit, Skywind Group
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Sissel Weitzhandler, Play’n GO
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Yurri Shevchuk, Parimatch
Chief Executive Officer of the Year
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David Briggs, GeoComply
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Giovanni Garrisi, Stanleybet Group
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Phil Horne, Scientific Games UK
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Sergey Portnov, Parimatch
Compliance Innovator or Innovation of the Year
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BetConstruct
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Gamalyze, Mindway AI
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Genesis Global Limited
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Location Validator App, GeoGuard
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GiG Comply
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Stoiximan / Betano Group
Compliance Officer of the Year
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Adam Torres, San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission
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Emma O’Neil, Sky Betting & Gaming
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Ewout Wierda, VideoSlots
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Jennifer Aguiar, DraftKings
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Keith Caruana, Play’n GO
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Mark Halstead, iSoftBet
Compliance Outstanding Achievement Award
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iSoftBet
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Kindred Group
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Paysafe Group
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Skywind Group
Award for Commitment to Compliance by An Affiliate Company
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IGT Compliance Team
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iSoftBet Compliance Team
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NOVOMATIC AG Compliance Team
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Paysafe Group Compliance Team
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People’s Postcode Lottery Compliance Team
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Play’n GO Compliance Team
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Playtech Compliance Team
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Sky Betting and Gaming Compliance Team
Head of AML/MLRO or AML Team of the Year
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Anti-Fraud Legal and Compliance Team, Estoril Sol Digital
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AML Team, Genting Casinos UK
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Group Compliance Team, Paysafe Group
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Jonathan Galea, VideoSlots
Head of Regulatory Affairs/Government Relations
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Jon Duffy, Genting Casinos UK
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Kimberley Broad, Microgaming
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Lindsay Slader, GeoComply
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Malcolm Fleming, People’s Postcode Lottery
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Martin Lycka, GVC Group
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Pablo Espuela, Luckia Games
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Sabine Stoppel, NOVOMATIC AG
In-House Counsel/Legal Team of the Year
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Andrei Andronic, Playson
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GVC Group Legal Team
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Nicole Metzgar-Schall, Sportradar
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NOVOMATIC AG Legal Team
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Riva Richard, Pollard Banknote Limited
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Skywind Group Legal Team
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William Hill Group Legal Team
In-House Counsel/Legal Team of the Year
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ECOMMPAY
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Passport Technology
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Paysafe Group
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LexisNexis Risk Solutions
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Trustly
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Worldpay
RegTech Provider of the Year
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GeoComply
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IDnow
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iovation
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SBTech
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Trulioo
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w2 Global Data
Responsible Approach to Advertising Award
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32 Red / Kindred Group
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Catena Media
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NetBet Enterprises
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Stoiximan / Betano Group
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William Hill
Rising Star Award
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Denisa Bialá, Play’n GO
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Erica Okerberg, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
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Esther Scheepers, Kindred Group
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Hayley Doherty, Sky Betting & Gaming
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Joonas Karhu, Bojoko
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Melissa Shuba, BMM Testlabs
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Zlatan Omerspahić, Nsoft
Compliance Lifetime Achievement Special Award
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To be announced
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American online gambling
New Analysis Shows Majority of Online Gambling Operators Targeting U.S. Players are Unlicensed
According to Blask’s latest analysis of the U.S. iGaming landscape, 290 out of 362 operators active in the American online gambling ecosystem (approximately 80%) are offshore platforms operating outside domestic regulatory frameworks. The data highlights a structural reality of the U.S. market: while regulation has expanded significantly over the past decade, offshore operators still dominate the competitive landscape in terms of brand presence.
This dominance is not limited to the number of operators. It also translates into a substantial share of total market value. Blask estimates that the total U.S. online gambling market reached approximately $79.8B in Competitive Earning Baseline (CEB) in 2025. Of that total, only around $25.2B was captured by licensed domestic operators, while the majority flowed to offshore platforms.
In other words, roughly three quarters of the U.S. market value remains outside the regulated ecosystem, despite more than a decade of state-by-state legalization.
The persistence of offshore dominance is closely tied to the fragmented structure of U.S. gambling regulation. Several of the country’s largest markets still operate without any online gambling legalization, while many regulated states allow sports betting but not online casinos — creating structural gaps that offshore platforms continue to fill.
States that offer full online gambling regulation, including both sports betting and casino, show significantly lower offshore penetration. Markets such as New Jersey and Michigan capture roughly three quarters of their online gambling value domestically, demonstrating that comprehensive regulation can meaningfully increase channelization. However, no U.S. jurisdiction has fully eliminated offshore activity.
The post New Analysis Shows Majority of Online Gambling Operators Targeting U.S. Players are Unlicensed appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Baltics
Expanse Studios Secures Certification for Estonia and Latvia Markets
Expanse Studios, a subsidiary of Meridian Holdings, announced that it has received certification enabling the commercial deployment of its content across Estonia and Latvia.
Gaming Associates, a UKAS-accredited testing laboratory (accreditation number 9263), certified Candy’s Bonanza and Leprechaun’s Wish as compliant with the technical standards established by Baltic regulatory authorities. This certification allows the games to be deployed on licensed gaming platforms operating within these jurisdictions.
The Baltic certifications advance Expanse Studios’ systematic expansion across regulated European markets where formal certification processes create entry barriers for B2B content providers. Estonia and Latvia operate structured regulatory frameworks requiring independent technical verification before content deployment on licensed platforms.
Regulatory certification processes in European markets typically require 8-12 months and substantial compliance investment, creating competitive advantages for studios maintaining multi-jurisdictional certification capabilities.
“This certification gives us a solid foundation for further growth in this part of Europe. The approvals in the Baltics allow operators to go live more quickly, and they reflect the way we approach regulated markets. We focus on building compliant, reliable distribution capabilities that create real long-term value,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios.
The post Expanse Studios Secures Certification for Estonia and Latvia Markets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
NCPG Strongly Endorses Introduction of Bipartisan POINTS Act
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) endorsed the introduction of the bipartisan Providing Opportunities for Individuals In Need of Treatment & Support (POINTS) Act, led by Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN), Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA). The POINTS Act is the first bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress in 15 years to address problem gambling among the general population.
The legislation would create the first dedicated federal funding stream to support prevention, screening, intervention, and treatment services for individuals at risk of or experiencing gambling addiction. If passed, the POINTS Act would reallocate one-third of the existing federal excise tax on sports wagers (0.25% of handle), generating an estimated $100 million annually without raising or creating new taxes. Federal excise tax revenue from sports wagering exceeded $150 million in FY2024 and reached an estimated $300 million in FY 2025.
“Gambling addiction can quietly devastate families. The financial damage and emotional strain often build over time and affect far more than the person placing the bet. I’ve seen how those consequences can impact loved ones and communities. As access to sports betting and online gambling grows, we have a responsibility to confront the addiction that can follow. The POINTS Act directs existing federal gaming revenue toward prevention, treatment, and recovery programs to help people get back on their feet,” said Rep. Erin Houchin.
“As sports betting and online gambling continue to expand across the country, we have a responsibility to ensure people struggling with addiction are not left behind. Gambling addiction can devastate individuals and families, yet too many communities still lack the resources needed to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery support. The POINTS Act helps close that gap by investing existing gambling excise tax revenue into programs that expand care, raise awareness, and connect people to the help they need,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas.
“The POINTS Act recognizes that gambling addiction is a public health issue requiring a coordinated national response. States and tribes need stable federal support to expand access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This legislation provides a responsible and sustainable funding mechanism to meet that need,” said Heather L. Maurer, Executive Director of NCPG.
The post NCPG Strongly Endorses Introduction of Bipartisan POINTS Act appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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